Gas cylinder structure and valve-protecting element therefor

ABSTRACT

A compressed-gas cylinder having an integral neck for attachment of a valve or the like, with a rigid, hollow, open-ended valveprotecting element rotatably mounted on the neck. The protecting element includes a sleeve surrounding the neck and held in place by a retaining ring snap-fitted into an annular recess on the neck outwardly of the sleeve. An enlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion of the protecting element is formed integrally with and projects outwardly from the sleeve for laterally enclosing and protecting a valve mounted on the neck. Openings are provided in the wall of this enlarged portion to afford access to the valve and to enable use of the protecting element as a handle for the cylinder.

[111 3,776,412 i4 1 Dec. 4, 1973 GAS CYLINDER STRUCTURE ANDVALVE-PROTECTING ELEMENT THEREFOR [75] Inventor: Wilbur H. Mink,Riverside, Calif.

73 Assignee: Luxfer USA Limited, Riverside,

Calif.

22 Filed: Sept. 27', 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 292,648

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Germany 137/377 Primary Examiner-WilliamT. Dixson, Jr. Assistant ExaminerAllan N. Shoap Attorney-Christopher C.Dunham et al.

[57 ABSTRACT A compressed-gas cylinder having an integral neck forattachment of a valve or the like, with a rigid, hollow, open-endedvalve-protecting element rotatably mounted on the neck. The protectingelement includes a sleeve surrounding the neck and held in place by aretaining ring snap-fitted into an annular recess on the neck outwardlyof the sleeve. An enlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion of theprotecting element is formed integrally with and projects outwardly fromthe sleeve for laterally enclosing and protecting a valve mounted on theneck. Openings are provided in the wall of this enlarged portion toafford access to the valve and to enable use of the protecting elementas a handle for the cylinder.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUEE 41973 SHEET 3 [1F 3 BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates to compressed-gas cylinders, andin particular to new and improved structures mountable thereon toprotect valves or the like attached to such cylinders'and to providehandles for the cylinders.

Metal-walled cylinders are widely employed for containing gas underpressure, and such cylinders are commonly provided with a neck at oneend, on which is mounted a valve or other instrum'entality, e.g., toeffect controlled release of the contained gas. Merely by way ofexample, cylinders of this type are used to hold gaseous carbon dioxidefor carbonation of beverages, or industrial or welding gases.

Owing to their smooth, elongate shape, cylinders of the type describedare somewhat inconvenient to handle. Moreover, the exposed, projectingvalve on such a cylinder is vulnerable to misadjustment or damage, ei-

ther by impacts with objects or hard surfaces incident to handling ofthe cylinder, or by blows from moving objects when the cylinder isstationary.

Accordingly, it has heretofore been proposed to provide a protectingstructure mounted on the neck of the cylinder adjacent the valve, toshield the valve from impacts and blows to which the valve wouldotherwise be subject, for example, if the cylinder is dropped or tippedover. One widely-used valve-protecting structure is a cap threadedlymounted on the cylinder neck and more or less completely enclosing thevalve. Since the cap must be removed before a hose or other attachmentcan be connected to the valve, it does not protect the valve during useof the cylinder; moreover, the necessity of removing the cap results ina high rate of loss of such caps, with attendant undesired expense forreplacement, as the cap is likely to be mislaid after removal.

It has alternatively been proposed to provide a protecting structure,e.g., threadedly mounted on the cylinder neck, and having one or moreopenings both to enable access to the shieldedvalve and to adapt theprotecting structure for use asa handle in carrying the cylinder. Thevalve customarily has a fitting thatv projects on one side thereof forconnection of a hose or pressure line, regulator, or other attachment,and also commonly has a hand wheel positioned at its outer extremity;the lateral access opening of the protecting structure is intended toenable connection of the hose, pressure line or other attachment to thefitting, while the hand wheel is accessible through an enlarged endopening of the protecting structure.

Although the threaded engagement of the protecting structure with thecylinder neck afi'ords a secure connection between the. structure andthe cylinder, it is attended with disadvantages, not only because itrequires provision of threads on the cylinder neck as well as on theprotecting structure, but also because. it hinders desired access to theinterior of the protecting structure. In particular, this threadedengagement prevents ready positioning of the openings of the protectingstructure in alignment with the valve fitting, as is necessary to enableconnection or adjustment of a hose or other attachment to the valvefitting within the protective structure. The openings themselves permitonly limited access to the structure. interior. Therefore, initialmounting of the protective structure and an associated valve inappropriately aligned positions on a cylinder has been a difficultprocedure; and connection or adjustment of attachments to the valvefitting after the protector is in place has presented furtherdifficulties. Alternative proposals for mounting a protective structureon a cylinder neck have been, in general, structurally complex and hencemore or less costly and inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide a gas cylinder structure having a new and improved protectingelement for shielding a valve or the like on the neck of a compressedgas cylinder and for serving as a handle for the cylinder, withsubstantially enhanced freedom and ease of access to the interior of theelement as desired to facilitate connection, adjustment and replacementof attachments to the valve fitting, i.e., for release of the contentsof the cylinder and/or charging of the cylinder.

Another object is to provide a new and improved protecting element ofsuch type, capable of being readily mounted on a cylinder.

To these and other ends, the present invention broadly contemplates theprovision of a hollow, openended protecting element mounted on thecylindrical neck of a compressed gas cylinder or the like so as to befreely rotatable relative to the neck but secured against axial movementrelative to the neck. In accordance with the invention, the protectingelement includes a sleeve having a smooth cylindrical opening forreceiving the neck of the cylinder and an outwardly facing annularsurface surrounding the outer extremity of that opening, the sleevebeing so dimensioned that a portion of the neck projects outwardlybeyond the annular surface. The protecting element further includes anenlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion formed integrally with thesleeve and projecting outwardly therefrom for laterally enclosing andshielding a valve or the like mounted on the cylinder neck; thisenlarged portion has at least one lateral opening for access andconnection of attachments to the valve fitting. The terms inner orinwardly and outer or outwardly as used herein refer to directionsrespectively toward and away from the cylinder.

Further in accordance with the invention, a retaining ring is mounted ina recess formed in the aforementioned outwardly projecting portion ofthe cylinder neck and projects laterally'of the neck for engaging theannular surface of the sleeve to prevent outward movement of the sleeverelative to the neck while permitting rotation of the protecting elementrelative to the neck. Conveniently, this ring is a resilientlydeformable split annulus snap-fitted into the recess, which may be anannular groove formed in the cylindrical neck surface or may be definedby the inwardly facing surface of a laterally projecting annular land orridge formed on the neck surface; in the latter case, the land or ridgehas a diameter larger than that of the major extent of the neck surface(so as to hold the ring in place) but smaller than the inner diameter ofthe sleeve, i.e., to

valve or the like mounted on the cylinder neck, and a second lateralopening bridged outwardly by the lip for receiving a human hand toenable use of the element as a handle for the cylinder.

In the described structure, the retaining ring provides a secureattachment of the protecting element to the neck of the cylinder asnecessary for use of the element as a handle, and for ensuring that theelement will effectively protect a valve (mounted on the cylinder neck)against blows and impacts. At the same time, this mounting arrangementpermits free rotation of the protecting element around the neck, so thatthe access opening of the element may readily be aligned with alaterally projecting fitting of a valve mounted on the neck, forconnection of a hose, pressure line, regulator, or other device to suchfitting. The lip in effect defines a large opening at the outer end ofthe protecting element, and the access opening (extending through thelip) is effectively continuous with this end opening, further enhancingfreedom of access to instrumentalities shielded by the element.

Moreover, the rotatable mounting of the protecting element greatlyfacilitates initial installation of the element and an associated valveon a cylinder, i.e., because no care need be taken to achieve initialalignment of the access opening with the lateral fitting of the valve,such alignment being immediately achieved whenever desired by simpleturning of the mounted protecting element. This mounting also eliminatesthe need to provide threads on the outer wall of the cylinder neck. Theuse of a split ring snap fitted in a recess on the cylinder neck affordsan especially rapid, convenient and economical way of securing theprotecting element to the neck, with a minimum of modification ofconventional cylinder neck structure. As an additional advantage, theprotecting element of the invention not only serves to shield anenclosed valve and to provide a handle for carrying a cylinder (or formoving the cylinder by rolling) but may also be used as a base tosupport the cylinder, i.e., if the cylinder is inverted so that thevalve fitting and neck are oriented downwardly, as may be desired, e.g.,when the cylinder contains a gas in liquified form.

Thus there is provided a valve protecting element and handle for acompressed gas cylinder, affording important advantages of economy andespecially enhanced convenience of mounting and subsequent connection ofattachments to the shielded valve. Problems such as provision ofexternal threads on the cylinder neck, and subsequent thread wear areavoided. The element need not be removed from the cylinder, but remainsin place during use of the cylinder (i.e., even when a hose, regulatoror other attachment is mounted on the valve) to continue serving itsfunctions as a handle for the cylinder and a protector for the valve.Since the element is not removed, the problems of loss and cost ofreplacement associated with conventional valve caps are avoided.Moreover, with this element, it is not necessary to provide a separateneck ring for the cylinder as now conventionally employed. While theelement of the invention is described herein, for purposes ofillustration, as used with a compressed gas cylinder (and is adapted foruse with a wide variety of conventional cylinders), it will beappreciated that the element of the invention is also capable of use forother similar purposes to provide shielding for structures such asvalves on cylindrical necks in various kinds of equipment.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe detailed description hcreinbclow set forth, together with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of oneend of a gas cylinder structure incorporating a valve-protecting elementembodying the present invention in a particular form;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the end portion and neck of acompressed gas cylinder of generally conventional type but adapted toreceive the protecting element of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cylinder neck of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the protecting element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational sectional view of the element of FIG. 4 asassembled on the neck of the cylinder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of one form of retaining ring suitable for use inmounting the protecting element of the invention on a cylinder neck; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing a modified configurationof the protecting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG. 1, the embodiment of theinvention there illustrated is incorporated in structure including agenerally conventional metal-walled compressed gas cylinder 10, e.g.,fabricated of an aluminum alloy and having an elongated cylindricalshape with a rounded end wall 11 terminating in a neck 12 on which maybe mounted a valve 14 for effecting controlled release of the containedgas through an outlet fitting 15 that projects laterally from the valve,i.e., in a direction transverse to the long axis of the cylinder. Aprotecting element 16 embodying the invention is mounted on the neck 12in surrounding relation to the valve 14.

As more particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylinder neck 12,formed integrally with the cylinder and projecting from the end wall 11in coaxial relation to the cylinder, has a cylindrical outer wall 18 ofrelatively short axial extent and a central bore 19 communicating withthe interior of the cylinder; this bore may be internally threaded forengagement with mating external.

threads of the valve. For mounting the protecting element of theinvention, an annular recess 20 is formed in the neck outer wall 18, andspaced a short distance inwardly from the outer extremity of the neck.In the cylinder shown, the recess 20 constitutes a machine groove, i.e.,a groove cut into the neck wall.

The protecting element 16 of the invention, in a presently preferredembodiment, is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This element is generally rigid(although it may be more or less flexible), and is a unitary, integrallyformed structure, e.g., fabricated of metal or of a suitable moldedplastic. It includes a sleeve portion 22 for receiving the cylinder neck12 and an enlarged portion 24 projecting outwardly from the outer end ofthe sleeve portion 22 for laterally surrounding and shielding the valve14 mounted on the neck 12 in spaced relation to the valve.

A smooth-walled cylindrical central opening 25 is formed in sleeve 22,extending through the sleeve from the inner extremity to the outerextremity thereof for receiving cylinder neck 12. The diameter ofopening 25 is selected so that the sleeve will fit closely around theneck, yet with sufficient clearance to permit ready rotation of theelement 16 in relation to the neck. At its outer extremity, opening 25is surrounding by a flat annular surface 26 facing outwardly, e.g.,lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the opening 25.

In the form shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the major extent of the enlargedportion 24 of element 16 is a wall 27 of outwardly flaringfrusto-conical configuration, terminating outwardly in a shortcylindrical wall 28 which provides an annular lip 29 for the element;this lip 29 lies in a plane parallel to the plane containing surface 26,i.e., perpendicular to the axis of opening 25. The enlarged portion 24is disposed in coaxial relation to opening 25.

As thus formed, the element 16 constitutes a hollow, generally outwardlyflaring structure having an opening 25 at its inner end of relativelysmall diameter, sufficient to accommodate the neck 12, and a much largeropening defined by lip 29 at its outer extremity in coaxial relation tothe inner opening. The wall of the element 16 is rigid and preferably ofsufficient thickness and strength to support the weight of the cylinderon which the element is mounted, as well as to shield the valve 14effectively against blows or impacts.

A large lateral opening 30 is formed in one side of the frusto-conicalwall 27 and cylindrical wall 28 of the enlarged portion 24. As shown,this opening is U-shaped or keyhole shaped and extends upwardly throughthe lip 29, providing a gap 30a in the lip. A second lateral opening 32through the wall 27 of enlarged portion 24 is shown as positioned indiametrically opposed relation to opening 30; unlike opening 30, opening32 does not extend upwardly through the lip 29, but is instead bridgedby a portion 29a of that lip. Additional openings may also be made inthe side wall of portion 24 of element 16, if desired.

The assembly of element 16 with the cylinder is further illustrated inFIG. 6. As there shown, the cylinder neck 12 is inserted through openingof sleeve 22 until the inner extremity of sleeve 22 abuts a shoulderportion 11a of the enlarged cylinder end wall 11 at the base of neck 12.The axial dimension of the sleeve opening 25 is shorter than that of theneck wall 18, so that when the sleeve abuts the cylinder shoulder 114,

a portion of the cylinder neck 12, including groove 20, projectsoutwardly beyond opening 25, i.e., beyond the A retaining ring 34 isinserted in the recess or groove annular outer surface 26 of thatopening.

20, outwardly of surface 26. As thus mounted, the ring 34 projectslaterally from the cylinder neck wall 18, in

into placein the groove or recess 20, the outer wall of which holds thering against outward axial movement relative to the neck.

In the described assembly, the element 16 is secured against anysubstantial axial movement in either direction relative to the cylinder10 by the snap ring 34 and cylinder shoulder 1 1a respectively disposedfor engagement with the outer and inner extremities of sleeve 22 ofelement 16. Therefore, the element 16 can be used as a handle to liftthe cylinder, and also provides assured effective protection for theenclosed valve 14. However, the clearance between the cylindrical sleeveopening 25 and the cylindrical neck wall 18, and also the clearancesbetween ring 34, sleeve 22 and shoulder 11a, are sufficient to permitfree rotation of the element 16 about the long axis of the cylinder 10,as stated above.

The valve 14 (FIG. 1) threaded in and projecting outwardly from the bore19 of the neck 12, and laterally shielded by the element 16, isaccessible through the large keyhole opening 30 in the side of element16 as well as through the outer end opening of element 16, this outerend opening being continuous with opening 30 through the gap 30a in lip29. The valve may (for example) be installed after the protectingelement is in place, as there is no need to provide initial alignment ofthe lateral outlet fitting 15 with the access opening 30 of the element.When desired, the rotatable element 16 is simply turned (about the axisof the cylinder) until the opening 30 is aligned with the valve outletfitting 15. A hose, pressure line, regulator or other attachment maythen readily be connected to the outlet fitting 15, through opening 30,without interference by the protecting element. The dimensions of theelement 16, its end opening, and the keyhole opening 30 continuoustherewith, are selected to accommodate with clearance a valve and toolsnecessary for such connection or adjustment of an attachment to thevalve, while the hand wheel 14a of the valve is accessible for manualadjustment through the end opening of element 16.

The other lateral opening 32 of element 16 is shaped to permitinsertionof a human hand for use of the bridging lip portion 29a as a handlegrip, enabling use of the element 16 as a handle in picking up andcarrying the cylinder to which it is attached. Furthermore, since thelip 29 of element 16 is disposed in coaxial relation to cylinder 10 andin a plane perpendicular to the ,1 axis oficylinder 10, the element 16can be used as a base for supporting the cylinder 10 in an invertedstanding position, i.e., a position in which the neck 12 is orienteddownwardly.

An alternative configuration for the protecting ele- {ment of theinvention is illustrated.in FIG. 8 as neck. Conveniently, the retainingring 34'may bea re silientlydeformable split annulus, e.g., a so-calledsnap ring fabricated of steelor the like, and shown in plan view in FIG.7. As there illustrated,'the ring 34 is open' neck 12 and is thenreleased so that it resiliently snaps mountedon the same cylinder 10described above, i.e.

by means of the same snap ring 34. The protecting element 16' of FIG. 8includes a sleeve portion 22' (which may be essentially identical to thesleeve 22 of the element 16 of FIGS. 1 7) and an enlarged portion 24',generally similar in arrangement to the enlarged portion 24 of theabove-described element 16 but differing therefrom in specific detailsof shape. Portion 24' of element 16' has a short frusto-conical wall 50flaring outwardly from the sleeve 22' to a large diameter cylindricalwall 52 of substantial axial extent; i.e., in the structure of FIG. 8,the axial extent of the cylindrical wall 52 of enlarged portion 24' isgreater than the axial extent of the frusto-conical wall 50 joining wall52 to sleeve 22'. At its outer extremity, wall 52 provides an annularlip 29; lateral openings 30 and 32 (respectively corresponding to theopenings 30 and 32 in the element of FIGS. 1 7) are formed in the wall52.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the featuresand embodiments hereinabove specifically set forth but may be carriedout in other ways without departure from its spirit.

I claim: 1. Gas cylinder structure comprising a. a compressed-gascylinder; and b. a cylindrical neck projecting outwardly from a wall ofsaid cylinder for receiving a valve or the like; wherein the improvementcomprises 0. a hollow, open-ended protecting element including i. asleeve having a smooth cylindrical opening receiving said neck forrotatably mounting said element thereon and an outwardly facing annularsurface surrounding the outer extremity of said opening, and ii. anenlarged, generally outwardly flaring portion formed integrally withsaid sleeve and projecting outwardly therefrom for shielding a valve orthe like mounted on said neck, said enlarged portion having at least onelateral opening for access to the interior of the element; d. said neckhaving a portion projecting outwardly beyond said annular surface ofsaid sleeve, with an annular recess formed in said outwardly projectingportion of said neck; and

e. a retaining ring mounted in said recess and projecting laterallythereof for engaging said annular surface of said sleeve to preventoutward movement of said sleeve relative to said neck while permittingrotation of said element relative to said neck.

2. Structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring is a resilientlydeformable split annulus snap-fitted into said recess.

3. Structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said enlarged portion ofsaid element has an annular outer lip, a first large lateral openingextending outwardly through said lip for facilitating access to a valveor the like on said neck, and a second lateral opening bridged outwardlyby said lip forreceiving a human hand to enable use of the element as ahandle for the cylinder.

4. Structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said neck projects from oneend wall of said cylinder in coaxial relation thereto, and wherein saidannular lip of said enlarged portion of said element lies in a planeperpendicular to the long axis of said cylinder, for use of said elementas a base for supporting said cylinder with the neck thereof orienteddownwardly.

1. Gas cylinder structure comprising a. a compressed-gas cylinder; andb. a cylindrical neck projecting outwardly from a wall of said cylinderfor receiving a valve or the like; wherein the improvement comprises c.a hollow, open-ended protecting element including i. a sleeve having asmooth cylindrical opening receiving said neck for rotatably mountingsaid element thereon and an outwardly facing annular surface surroundingthe outer extremity of said opening, and ii. an enlarged, generallyoutwardly flaring portion formed integrally with said sleeve andprojecting outwardly therefrom for shielding a valve or the like mountedon said neck, said enlarged portion having at least one lateral openingfor access to the interior of the element; d. said neck having a portionprojecting outwardly beyond said annular surface of said sleeve, with anannular recess formed in said outwardly projecting portion of said neck;and e. a retaining ring mounted in said recess and projecting laterallythereof for engaging said annular surface of said sleeve to preventoutward movement of said sleeve relative to said neck while permittingrotation of said element relative to said neck.
 2. Structure as definedin claim 1, wherein said ring is a resiliently deformable split annulussnap-fitted into said recess.
 3. Structure as defined in claim 2,wherein said enlarged portion of said element has an anNular outer lip,a first large lateral opening extending outwardly through said lip forfacilitating access to a valve or the like on said neck, and a secondlateral opening bridged outwardly by said lip for receiving a human handto enable use of the element as a handle for the cylinder.
 4. Structureas defined in claim 3, wherein said neck projects from one end wall ofsaid cylinder in coaxial relation thereto, and wherein said annular lipof said enlarged portion of said element lies in a plane perpendicularto the long axis of said cylinder, for use of said element as a base forsupporting said cylinder with the neck thereof oriented downwardly.